The arrival of artificial intelligence is almost reminiscent of the arrival of computers and the internet. Anyone who isn’t up to date with the latest developments is left behind. Well, that’s true and that’s not the case. There’s no need to panic. In this case, it’s Jon Hernández, an AI expert, who’s making headlines with his statements. The expert has said that, given the current situation, “In two years, anyone who isn’t fluent in artificial intelligence will be out of the labor market. That’s in Spain, let alone in other places where it might be earlier.”
AI is already integrated into hospitals, offices, companies…
Speaking with the data on the table, the reality is that AI is almost everywhere these days. Certainly, in important and relevant places for citizens’ daily lives. AI is already integrated into hospitals, offices, companies, and digital platforms, automating tasks, suggesting actions, and reorganizing professional functions. In any case, Hernández also highlights the other side of the coin, saying: “We still see companies that continue to manage processes with manual delivery notes, even though they haven’t even integrated Excel. It’s very sad, but true.”
All of this brings us to the topic of jobs. Not because professionals are going to be replaced (which in some cases they almost will be), but because their roles are evolving. Repetitive tasks are disappearing; strategic, human, and ethical decisions are gaining prominence. “Today, the luck of someone who doesn’t know about artificial intelligence is that their boss knows even less. If he knew what I know, I would have replaced him by now,” says Jon Hernández in a conversation with host Uri Sabat.
On the one hand, what leads us to talk about these changes in jobs is the automation of certain actions. AI takes on specific tasks within broader workflows, such as data classification, preliminary content review, or automated log analysis. And as some experts say, the time to adapt is limited, and the window of opportunity may be very brief.
AI has changed the work environment, and professionals’ roles
On the other hand, there is the redefinition of workflows. Many activities that we previously resolved sequentially and manually are now managed in a hybrid manner, combining automated intervention and professional review. This would be the evolution toward the digitalization of certain tasks or tools, for example. Finally, the reorganization of certain responsibilities. AI has changed the work environment, and professionals’ roles are evolving toward more strategic and less operational roles. In many cases, we have gone from literally performing tasks to taking on a review role. These changes affect not only technical or administrative profiles but also professionals in healthcare, finance, and human resources. Not to mention, of course, what this means for directly digital positions.
AI as an aid, an extra, a tool, or a means of transportation to achieve goals
The question now is how best to adapt to this great new technology. Hernández says that learning to use these tools is no longer a competitive advantage, but a basic necessity for professional survival. And as other experts point out, there are already companies that have invested in AI but don’t know how to implement it in the best possible way or get the most out of it. This may be the niche many professionals can focus on. Having money to invest in artificial intelligence isn’t enough; you need to know how it works to apply it in your business and make a profit.
And that’s where the human factor comes in. It’s evident that artificial intelligence has been proven to help and improve the resolution of certain problems, but the most mundane still fall on human shoulders. So the focus now is on using AI as an aid, an extra, a tool, or a means of transportation to achieve goals and make decisions that only humans can make. Something like that.
